Debuts at the 2010 New York Auto Show

2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco

Squeezing 40 mpg on the highway from a conventional gasoline compact is no easy task. But Chevy went past the usual low rolling resistance tires and aero tweaks. They tightened panel gaps, streamlined the underbody, and even swapped the standard stereo speakers for lighter magnets.

The Cruze replaces the Cobalt later this year, and interior materials — save for seat fabric stitched onto the dash in the car I sat in — are up to snuff this time. Expect a slight (less than $1,000) premium for the Eco model versus the standard Cruze.